World Briefing | Europe: Estonia: Leftists Reeling After Election

By Michael Wines (NYT)

Published: March 4, 2003

The dead heat in parliamentary elections has shocked the governing leftist Center Party, which had hoped to ride to a majority on disaffection with the swift transition from a social welfare state to a capitalist economy. With the Center Party and the new conservative Res Publica Party each winning 28 seats in the 101-seat legislature, it was unclear who would lead the country. The Center Party leader, Mayor Edgar Savisaar of Tallin, said he was confident of becoming prime minister. Michael Wines (NYT)